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2.27.2010

Well, I had Ashland's Dance Team auditions this weekend. Unfortunately, I was not chosen to be one of the lucky 18 girls. I'm alright with that.

The audition process was, well, weird. The night before we had clinics, where we learned the routine we would perform for the judges the next day at tryouts. We got to meet all the other girls trying out, and I'm pretty sure I was the only one, if not, one of the few, who HADN'T been dancing since I was 3 years old. Anyways, 2.5 Hours to learn an intense 2 minute dance. You can bet I'm super sore right now. Haha.

The girls that were on the dance team last year gave us some advice, one was to wear performance makeup. After 3 years as a majorette in high school, I have perfected "performance make up".So I show up to the audition in my usual red lips, blush, eyeliner performance makeup. You could barely tell any of the other girls had any make up on! I was so confused, and stuck out like a sore thumb.

At my audition they asked me to do a toe touch. I have never done one in my life. It probably looked like a jumping jack in the air. (I'm not trying out to be a cheerleader, this is the dance team audition, right?) The dance itself was fun to learn, but definitely a whole new style of dance to me. I would call it, "cheerleader jazz." Weird.

But I'm proud of myself. I stuck with it, and didn't give up. I did the best that I could. There were originally 37 girls supposed to tryout, 7 didn't make it due to the weather, and 6 came to clinics but didn't show up at tryouts. Leaving 24 girls to tryout, and me being the last.

2.22.2010

Join Miss America 2010 Caressa Cameron in celebrating National Pancake Day, on Tuesday, February 23 between 7:00am and 10:00pm. Enjoy a free short stack of IHOP's famous buttermilk pancakes and while there, make a donation to Children's Miracle Network.

As the official spokesperson for National Pancake Day and the Goodwill Ambassador to Children's Miracle Network, Caressa will be at a Los Angeles IHOP, flipping pancakes and encouraging IHOP patrons to make donations that will help children with life-threatening illnesses.

You heard me right, FREE PANCAKES AT IHOP ON TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 23RD.

Don't forget to leave a donation for the Children's Miracle Network after eating those delicious pancakes.

Pancakes are one of my favorite foods, so, you know where I'll be tomarrow.

Northern Ohio is a pretty miserable place to live — at least according to Forbes.com. The Web site on Thursday released its third annual list of ''America's Most Miserable Cities.'' Cleveland topped the rankings, and four of its neighbors also made the top 20: Canton, ninth; Akron, 12th; Toledo, 15th; and Youngstown, 18th.

Forbes.com ranked communities based on its so-called ''Misery Measure,'' which examined unemployment rates, taxes, commute times, violent crime, weather, Superfund pollution sites, public corruption and how pro sports teams have fared over the past two years. The Web site looked at the nation's 200 largest metro areas.

Of course, the rankings should come with an asterisk.

''By no stretch are we saying that nothing positive is going on in these cities,'' author Kurt Badenhausen said.

Cleveland earned the top spot ''thanks to its high unemployment, high taxes, lousy weather, corruption by public officials and crummy sports teams (Cavaliers of the NBA excepted).''

The rest of the top five are: Stockton, Calif.; Memphis, Tenn.; Detroit; and Flint, Mich. Other cities that made the top 20 include: Miami, Chicago and New York.

As for Akron, Forbes.com says: ''Home to Goodyear Tire and LeBron James, misery will be off the charts if favorite son James bolts the Cavaliers after this season for a new NBA team. Akron's 2.25 percent local income tax rate is one of the highest in the state.''

Akron city spokesman Mark Williamson noted the list came out on the same day that Bridgestone Americas officials were in town to break ground on the company's new $100 million technical center in the Firestone Park neighborhood.

Ed Gaffney Jr., owner of Rubber City Clothing, which includes two stores featuring items made in Akron and celebrating the city, said the list doesn't reflect the ''tremendous number of seeds planted in and around Akron,'' including the BioInnovation Institute and the expansion at the University of Akron.

''We have to nurture these seeds and keep them going so that over time, Akron will never again appear on a miserable-cities list,'' he said.

Susan Hamo, president of the Akron/Summit Convention & Visitors Bureau, called the community's ranking ludicrous and said it obviously was developed by someone who has never lived here.

''I don't know how to respond to this because I so violently disagree,'' she said.

Perhaps Akron-area residents shouldn't quibble too much, though. A study released last year by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation and Gallup Poll indicated that residents of Summit and Portage counties have a poor image of the area.

More than half the people surveyed for that study indicated they wouldn't recommend this community to others as a good place to live.

Canton also took it on the chin from Forbes.com with this description: ''The home of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and home of President William McKinley has seen a net migration out of Canton in each of the past 15 years. Only 18 percent of the adult population has a college degree.''

Badenhausen said community reaction is always mixed.

''Politicians that acknowledge the list aren't happy about it,'' he said. ''But people who live in these cities . . . some come out swinging and say we're crazy, and then other people say we're right and they have to do something about it.''

Ned Hill, an expert in urban economics and development, said the rankings are simplistic, and he doesn't take them seriously.

''They are eye-catching, made to be splashed across the evening news and to drive traffic to their [Web] site,'' said Hill, dean of Cleveland State University's Maxine Goodman Levin College of Urban Affairs.

To read the entire report and see all the rankings, go to: http://www.forbes.com/2010/02/11/americas-most-miserable-cities-business-beltway-miserable-cities.html.

2.17.2010

Though I'm not Catholic, I still take part in this religious 'tradition.' This year I am giving up soda. If you know me you know that I am addicted to Coca-Cola.

I gave up soda for a month last year and almost went crazy. But I am determined to give it up for good...or for 40 days at least. Haha.

To keep my mind off of the soda I am replacing the soda-drinking problem with working out everday. I usually work out 3 times a week (2 days of dance classes + 1 day of various exercises at home) but I would like to try working out more often. 40 days til a better bikini body. Hahah..

2.14.2010

Ok, so Haley and Rachel stayed over last night. We decided to look up demotivational posters on google. Theses are my top 3.

#1

Seriously, what ISN'T wrong with this picture!?! Why is he in a tux? Why is he holding a sewing machine? Why is the UPS truck coming OUT of the river? Why is the UPS truck there in the first place? There is no road!

2.11.2010

For some reason, I find myself in the Akron Public Library today. There's a guy screaming on his phone and stomping up and down the staircase. Before him a group of college guys from Akron U were running around causing havok. They were kinda entertaining to watch. Though again, annoying too due to the fact that you don't go around the library screaming like hooligans. Oh my, the library is full of crazies today.

And now my computer is telling me I only have 9 minutes left to be on the internet. Fantastic.

Just got back home from the Change Bandit Bash. The Change Bandits that attended (170 out of 1,000 people) donated $70,000 all together to the Akron Children's Hospital. More than 600,000 kids go through the Akron Children's Hospital every year.

With the two clowns that were there.

With Keith and Krissy

The people at the table who my mom and I sat with didn't cheer when Keith asked everyone to, and we ended up being called to the stage and had to be cheerleaders. So embarassing. Hahaha.

And now I'm off to work on Simply Floral Winter Formal flowers since I'm kind of behind on those. I haven't had the motivation to make them this week and have been putting them off, and now all the customers want to pick up their flowers tomarrow instead of on Saturday like I told them. Talk about bad karma. Haha.

2.10.2010

1. I hate stuffed animals. I mean, I own a few that hold a 'special meaning' but in all honesty, I hate stuffed animals. Don't know why. I just do.

2. I love adore vintage-inspired clothing. Especially 20's-50's.

3. I despise flip flips. They are just plain tacky. The only time they are appropriate is at the beach. I despise Ugg boots, also. Did you just get back from mammoth hunting with your lady friends?

4. I will not drink hot hot chocolate. Nor will I eat hot soup. I will however put my hot chocolate and hot soup in the fridge for a few minutes, then drink the cold hot chocolate and the cold soup. Haha, I'm just weird that way.

5. I will be Miss America someday.

6. In elementary school I was made fun of for my teeth. I had a horrible overbite and my front teeth stuck out. I love smiling and all but usually for pictures I won't smile with my teeth showing. Thank god for braces.

7. I've never been broken up with. I have always been the dumper. Never the dumpee.

8. I love shoes. I have tons of them. Heels are my favorite. I find them more comfortable then tennis shoes. To be honest, I don't even own a pair of tennis shoes.

9. I take ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and lyrical dance classes. It's kinda funny, I 'm very graceful on the dance floor, but I can't go up or down stairs without falling, nor walk without tripping all over the place.

10. I hate coffee, coffee related drinks, and energy drinks. Though these french vanilla cappuccinos from Speedway are growing on me.

11. I really don't like dogs. A lot. Actually, I'm not a big fan of animals in general. I like my cat. But thats about it. But I do like lizard animals, like iguanas are probably the coolest pet anyone could own. I used to have one.

12. I'm a single lady. I'm actually alright with being single. I like being independent and being able to do what I want when I want.

13. I made a vow to myself, my family, and God to remain a virgin until I am married.

14. I'm not a very stinggy person, you ask and I'll share, but my biggest pet peeve is when people take my stuff without asking. I just like to know where all my stuff is. All you gotta do is ask and I will let you borrow anything. Just please don't just take it.

15. I love dressing up. If I could, I would wear a dress everyday. I feel that people don't dress up enough anymore. They only dress up if they 'have to' and otherwise will wear their t-shirt, hoodie, jeans, and tennis shoe combo. Gone are the days of looking at least half presentable.

16. I have gone to 4 different school districts, 6 schools, and have lived in more houses than I can count on two hands.

17. My friends and I? Yeah, we're the ones parents warn their kids to stay away from. We're not bad kids. (a pageant queen, valedictorian, eagle scout, etc) We don't drink. NOr do drugs. And most of us are still virgins. But we do know how to have some crazy fun without all that. Driving with the music blaring at 2 am on the way to Denny's after post-it noting your friends car? Heck yeah.

18. My favorite color is emerald green and I wish my eyes were that color. They are only hazel/green.

19. I hate when people buy t-shirts that turn them into a walking billboard. Hollister. Aeropostle. Abercrombie. You paid how much for that shirt? That's not fashionable people. That's free advertisement for the company.

20. I have never met my biological father. In May 2009, I found out that the father that raised me isn't my biological father.

21. I started my own business in high school making corsages and boutonnieres for the dances. Simply Floral.

22. I really, really don't like fake people. I also hate it when people say they will do something and then never follow through. I try very hard to make sure that if I say I'm going to do something, I do it.

23. I hate when girls call themselves fat or ugly, I also hate when a guy cheats on them and they continue dating. I hate how girls take everything personally and read into everything. (ex: 'Let's go for a walk' girl:'Are you calling me fat!?!' seriously. WTF?) I also hate when girls choose their boyfriends over their friends. I perfer to hang out with guys rather than girls. And yet I do pageants. Hah.

24. I'm addicted to chocolate chip pancakes. Favorite food, ever.

25. I'm a people pleaser. I will do everything in my power to make sure everyone is happy.

2.09.2010

This afternoon, REACH returned to theWaterside Group Home and gave the residents 'makeovers'. The members did the resident's nails, make up, and styled their hair. My sister, Amiee, did Danielle's nails/make up/hair, while I worked on Caroline. Caroline was just the cutest and sweetest thing ever. As I did her nails she kept wanting to hug me and telling me 'I like you. You're nice.' All the residents are just awesome. Don't they look beautiful!?

REACH is a group that I have been a member of for about 6 months now. We plan events that will benefit the people in our community and surrounding community and also fundraise for those events.

In September 2009, we planned Noise Festival 2009 that featured bands in the area and concessions and such. All the proceeds from the event are used to benefit others, such as the Waterside Group Home and Hope Ministries in Akron.

The Waterside Group Home is a home for adults with mental disabilities who can not live on their own. Back in December 09, REACH planned a Christmas party for the residents complete with Santa & Mrs. Claus, pizza, a photographer, and tons of presents for each of the residents. Waterside has been in Canal Fulton for 20 years now and REACH was the first group to ever recognize and help the home.

Coming up this Friday, REACH will be heading out to Akron's Hope Ministries to serve the homeless. We will be giving them pizza, punch, and cookies, and also a blanket to stay warm. We have signed up to serve with Hope every other month for the next year.

If you would like more information on REACH or are interested in becoming a member please feel free to contact me.

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Wow, that was a pretty horrible picture of me up there..oh well.

This past weekend I was supposed to attend Miss Maple City, which is a Miss Ohio preliminary pageant held in Norwalk. I was going to attend to learn what I'm going to need to do to prepare for next season. Unfortunately, Ohio was hit with a snow storm that left a little more than 2 feet of snow on the ground in less than 24 hours (with another one on the way tomarrow afternoon, ugh). So since I was unable to attend Miss Maple City, I will be in attendance at Miss Muskingum Valley March 5-6th..hopefully, haha.

Thursday is the Change Bandits Bash where the Canal Days Queen's Court and I will be turning in the money we collected for the Akron Children's Hospital/Children's Miracle Network. So far we have ALMOST $200 collected. Think we will get more than $200 by Thursday? I think yes!

Saturday is Northwest's Winter Formal. I will not be in attendance, but my flowers will be! Simply Floral has a total of 15 flower orders (that's not very much, but considering most of the students aren't going this year, I'll take it) for this year's Winter Formal. And even though I'm not in high school anymore, I will be helping my friends Rachel and Haley get ready. Ever since they were freshmen (I was a sophomore) we have been preparing for dances together so it's become quite the tradition.

Sunday evening I'm leaving for Ashland University for an overnight visit. I'm pretty excited about it. Meet new people, visit the college I plan on attending, find the gym so I know where to go for dance team auditions later this month, and I won't be alone on Valentine's Day (not that it matters).

2.03.2010

22 year old, Caressa Cameron, was crowned Miss America on Saturday, January 30th. Along with the title, Caressa was awarded a $50,000 scholarship. Throughout her year of service, she will be the Goodwill Ambassador for the Children's Miracle Network, as well as promoting her personal platform, Real Talk: Aids in America. Miss America started her media tour the day after her crowning, and was rushed off to New York City where she was interviewed by Live! With Regis & Kelly, Extra!, Fox & Friends, The Wendy William's Show, The Rush Limbaugh Show, Inside Edition, Parade Magazine, and had an appearance at DSW Shoe Warehouse all in a matter of 2 days.

For those of you who may not know, Miss America travels approximately 20,000 miles per month and is in a different city every 48 hours. It is also said that a parent is more likely to have a son be on a team that plays in the Super Bowl than to have a daughter who competes on the Miss America stage. The Miss America Organization is the largest scholarship provider for young women in the world. MAO provides more than $45 million every year. The 2011 pageant will mark the 90th anniversary of the Miss America Pageant.